Knife offenders are still not being prosecuted

[21 July 2008]

Figures suggest that in some areas, up to half of all adults caught carrying a knife receive a caution instead of being prosecuted.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said in February that knife offenders aged over 18 would be automatically prosecuted, rather than cautioned. These latest figures, obtained by The Times under the Freedom of Information Act, show that many police forces are not prosecuting in such situations. The figures suggest huge disparities between different police forces. Between March and June this year, 50% of adults in Bedfordshire caught with a knife were cautioned, while 94% of adult offenders in Cheshire were charged.

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